Agenda item

(time limit 30 minutes)

 

Motion 1: Strengthening the Online Safety Act
To be moved by Councillor Harrison
Seconded by Councillor Nasheen

 

Social media giants have displayed time and again that they cannot be trusted to self-regulate, the riots across the country in recent weeks showed how dangerous misinformation can be and how quickly it can spread online.

 

There was at least one doctored video circulating online in early August purporting to be of Aldi in Chadderton, not only was this video not filmed within the Borough of Oldham it was several years old. However, this caused a tremendous amount of community concern and even lead to Police resources being deployed to the scene.

 

It is urgent that we take proactive measures to enhance the safety and security of our online environment. We cannot allow malicious actors to spread misinformation online in an attempt to cause unrest and division and destruction.

 

The current Online Safety Act, while a significant step forward, requires strengthening to address challenges and ensure comprehensive protection for all users, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

 

This Council resolves:

·         to write to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police and the Chief Superintendent for Oldham to thank them for the work their officers did to keep Oldhamers safe and violence off our streets.

·         to write to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation & Technology to ask his Department:

o   to undertake a review of the Online Safety Act to identify areas for improvement.

o   to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance and increase penalties for violations.

o   to provide resources and training for parents, schools, and third sector organisations to help them protect and guide children in the digital world.

o   to ensure victims of online abuse and crimes are supported.

 

Motion 2: A Welcome Start to Delivering the New Deal for Workers 
To be moved by Councillor Taylor
Seconded by Councillor Islam

 

The King’s Speech delivered on the 17th of July 2024 included plans for a new Employment Rights Bill. This bill builds on the previously announced New Deal for Working People and will enshrine much of the plan to make work pay, provide security at work and ensure the work life balance that everyone deserves.  

 

This Council notes: 

·         The Government’s commitment to improve workers’ rights, and terms & conditions across the UK. 

·         The key components of the New Deal for Working People, include: 

o   A ban on zero-hour contracts. 

o   A commitment to end ‘fire & re-hire’ practices  

o   Strengthening employment rights and flexible working from day one. 

o   Making sure work pays, with a genuine living wage. 

o   Better access to trade unions and fair representation in the workplace. 

This Council believes: 

·         That fair pay and decent working conditions are fundamental rights for all workers. 

·         That the measures proposed in the New Deal for Workers will significantly improve the lives of workers in Oldham 

·         That fair and decent work provides greater security, improves national productivity and increases economic opportunity for all workers.

·         That supporting these measures aligns with our commitment to social justice and economic fairness. 

This Council resolves to: 

·         Lobby for support for the Employment Rights Bill. 

·         Write to the Borough’s three MPs, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, reaffirming our support for the New Deal for Workers. 

·         Promote awareness of the New Deal for Workers in Oldham through our communication channels. 

·         Encourage local businesses to adopt the principles of the New Deal for Workers voluntarily, ahead of any legislative changes.

Motion 1: Strengthening the Online Safety Act
Councillor Harrison MOVED and Councillor Nasheen SECONDED the following Motion:

 

Social media giants have displayed time and again that they cannot be trusted to self-regulate, the riots across the country in recent weeks showed how dangerous misinformation can be and how quickly it can spread online.

 

There was at least one doctored video circulating online in early August purporting to be of Aldi in Chadderton, not only was this video not filmed within the Borough of Oldham it was several years old. However, this caused a tremendous amount of community concern and even lead to Police resources being deployed to the scene.

 

It is urgent that we take proactive measures to enhance the safety and security of our online environment. We cannot allow malicious actors to spread misinformation online in an attempt to cause unrest and division and destruction.

 

The current Online Safety Act, while a significant step forward, requires strengthening to address challenges and ensure comprehensive protection for all users, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

 

This Council resolves:

1.    To write to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police and the Chief Superintendent for Oldham to thank them for the work their officers did to keep Oldhamers safe and violence off our streets.

2.    To write to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation & Technology to ask his Department:

a.    to undertake a review of the Online Safety Act to identify areas for improvement.

b.    to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance and increase penalties for violations.

c.    to provide resources and training for parents, schools, and third sector organisations to help them protect and guide children in the digital world.

d.    to ensure victims of online abuse and crimes are supported.

 

AMENDMENT

Councillor Quigg MOVED and Councillor Arnott SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

 

We live in a world where distance and connectivity between nations and people is shrinking. Information is available 24/7 and at the swipe or push of a button. For the first time in history, human beings have access to seemingly vast amounts of information at their fingertips.

 

But that vast amount of information is stored with mainly private companies.

 

We have seen how state and non-state actors are increasingly using social media to exploit weaknesses in those companies but also the data that they hold. From the vulnerability of platforms such as Tik-Tok, who are facing US Congressional hearings over a failure to protect user’s data from the Chinese Communist Party to non-state actors, criminals and terrorists who use it to blackmail individuals, cause harm to children and cause harm to adults via these platforms.

 

Social media is increasingly a double edge sword.

 

Without social media, the documenting of criminality in Bangladesh, ballot rigging in Venezuela the conflicts in Ukraine, North Africa and the Middle East would have been limited to a news cycle or newspaper column. Equally we have seen how governments and media can censor and control information, which is why for many social media is the now go to platform to consume, document, and distribute news.

 

But again, in the United Kingdom we have seen the impact of foreign and malign influences. According to a BBC investigation, they found that a Pakistani national linked to a website called Channel3Now, had posted an article that included a false name for the perpetrator responsible for the slaughter of three young girls in Southport. The article was shared widely on social media and quickly went viral. Only after UK police had refuted the false information, was the post deleted and an apology issued. The damage however was done.

 

Locally, there was at least one doctored video circulating online in early August purporting to be of Aldi in Chadderton, not only was this video not filmed within the Borough of Oldham it was several years old. However, this caused a tremendous amount of community concern and even lead to Police resources being deployed to the scene.

 

It is urgent that we take proactive measures to enhance the safety and security of our online environment. We cannot allow malicious actors to spread misinformation online in an attempt to cause unrest and division and destruction. Equally, we must make sure that where criminality happens that existing laws are enforced by the Police and where they are outdated, that Parliament updates and amends the law. The Police must act without fear or favour and must be the only ones who police our streets and protect the public when there is the potential for harm or injury.

 

We must always make sure that the right to free speech and the right to exercise it is paramount. Freedom of speech is increasingly under threat, it must not be used by politicians to censor, curtail or silence their critics. The road to hell is always paved with good intentions.

 

The current Online Safety Act, while a significant step forward, requires strengthening to address challenges and ensure comprehensive protection for all users, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

 

This Council resolves:

1.    That Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council will value and protect freedom of speech.

2.    That Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council will never abuse the powers it has and use them against residents when they are lawfully exercising freedom of speech.

3.    That we recognise the Peelite principle of policing that the Police must act without fear or favour and firmly believe that the police are there to police our streets and that we will never accept convicted criminals policing or ‘managing’ our streets, vigilantism, or rioting.

4.    To write to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police and the Chief Superintendent for Oldham to thank them for the work their officers did to keep residents in the Oldham Metropolitan Borough safe and violence off our streets, as well as thanking officers for the around the clock work, they do to keep our ports of entry, like Manchester Airport, safe also.

5.    To write to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to ask his Department:

a.    to undertake a review of the Online Safety Act to identify areas for improvement.

b.    to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance and increase penalties for violations.

c.    that HM Government will protect freedom of speech and not curtail hard won rights and freedoms.

d.    to provide resources and training for parents, schools, and third sector organisations to help them protect and guide children in the digital world.

e.    to ensure victims of online abuse and crimes are supported.

 A vote was taken on the AMENDMENT which was LOST.

 

On being put to the vote the MOTION was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED:

This Council resolves:

1.    To write to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police and the Chief Superintendent for Oldham to thank them for the work their officers did to keep Oldhamers safe and violence off our streets.

2.    To write to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation & Technology to ask that his department:

a.    Undertake a review of the Online Safety Act to identify areas for improvement.

b.    Strengthen enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance and increase penalties for violations.

c.    Provide resources and training for parents, schools, and third sector organisations to help them protect and guide children in the digital world.

d.    Ensure victims of online abuse and crimes are supported.

 

Motion 2: A Welcome Start to Delivering the New Deal for Workers
Councillor Taylor MOVED and Councillor Islam SECONDED the following Motion:

 

The King’s Speech delivered on the 17^th of July 2024 included plans for a new Employment Rights Bill. This bill builds on the previously announced New Deal for Working People and will enshrine much of the plan to make work pay, provide security at work and ensure the work life balance that everyone deserves.  

 

This Council notes: 

• The Government’s commitment to improve workers’ rights, and terms & conditions across the UK. 
• The key components of the New Deal for Working People, include: 

a.    A ban on zero-hour contracts. 

b.    A commitment to end ‘fire & re-hire’ practices  

c.    Strengthening employment rights and flexible working from day one. 

d.    Making sure work pays, with a genuine living wage. 

e.    Better access to trade unions and fair representation in the workplace. 

This Council believes: 

• That fair pay and decent working conditions are fundamental rights for all workers. 
• That the measures proposed in the New Deal for Workers will significantly improve the lives of workers in Oldham 
• That fair and decent work provides greater security, improves national productivity and increases economic opportunity for all workers.
• That supporting these measures aligns with our commitment to social justice and economic fairness. 

 

This Council resolves to: 

1.    Lobby for support for the Employment Rights Bill. 

2.    Write to the Borough’s three MPs, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, reaffirming our support for the New Deal for Workers. 

3.    Promote awareness of the New Deal for Workers in Oldham through our communication channels. 

4.    Encourage local businesses to adopt the principles of the New Deal for Workers voluntarily, ahead of any legislative changes.

 

1^st AMENDMENT

Councillor Quigg MOVED and Councillor Adams SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

 

The King’s Speech delivered on the 17th of July 2024 included plans for a new Employment Rights Bill. This bill builds on the previously announced New Deal for Working People and will enshrine much of the plan to make work pay, provide security at work and ensure the work life balance that everyone deserves.  

 

This Council notes: 

·         The Government’s commitment to improve workers’ rights, and terms & conditions across the UK. 

·         The key components of the New Deal for Working People, include: 

a.    A ban on zero-hour contracts. 

b.    A commitment to end ‘fire & re-hire’ practices  

c.    Strengthening employment rights and flexible working from day one. 

d.    Making sure work pays, with a genuine living wage. 

e.    Better access to trade unions and fair representation in the workplace. 

This Council resolves to: 

Ask the groups and individuals, within the Council chamber of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, if they so choose, to write to their Members of Parliament to:

o   Lobby for support for the Employment Rights Bill. 

o   Write to the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, to support the New Deal for Workers. 

o   Promote awareness of the New Deal for Workers in Oldham through their communication channels. 

o   That fair pay and decent working conditions are fundamental rights for all workers. 

o   That the measures proposed in the New Deal for Workers will significantly improve the lives of workers in Oldham 

o   That fair and decent work provides greater security, improves national productivity, and increases economic opportunity for all workers.

o   That supporting these measures aligns with Labours commitment to social justice and economic fairness. 

 

To further ask the groups and individuals, within the Council chamber of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, if they so choose, to write to:

o   The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to:

- confirm that HM government will not allow freedom of movement of any kind with the European Union or the European Economic Area.

- That HM government will reconsider their decision to scrap plans that force councils to introduce mandatory 'local connection tests' for social housing, and an income test.

 

A vote was taken on the 1^st AMENDMENT which was LOST.

 

 

2^nd AMENDMENT

Councillor Al-Hamdani MOVED and Councillor Sykes SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

 

The King’s Speech delivered on the 17^th of July 2024 included plans for a new Employment Rights Bill. This bill builds on the previously announced New Deal for Working People and will enshrine much of the plan to make work pay, provide security at work and ensure the work life balance that everyone deserves.  

 

This Council notes: 

• The Government’s commitment to improve workers’ rights, and terms & conditions across the UK. 
• The key components of the New Deal for Working People, include: 

a.    A ban on zero-hour contracts. 

b.    A commitment to end ‘fire & re-hire’ practices  

c.    Strengthening employment rights and flexible working from day one. 

d.    Making sure work pays, with a genuine living wage. 

e.    Better access to trade unions and fair representation in the workplace. 

This Council believes: 

• That fair pay and decent working conditions are fundamental rights for all workers. 
• That the measures proposed in the New Deal for Workers will significantly improve the lives of workers in Oldham 
• That fair and decent work provides greater security, improves national productivity and increases economic opportunity for all workers.
• That supporting these measures aligns with our commitment to social justice and economic fairness. 

 

This Council resolves to: 

1     Lobby for support for the Employment Rights Bill. 

2     Write to the Borough’s three MPs, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, reaffirming our support for the New Deal for Workers. 

3     Promote awareness of the New Deal for Workers in Oldham through our communication channels. 

4     Encourage local businesses to adopt the principles of the New Deal for Workers voluntarily, ahead of any legislative changes.

5     Cease using zero hours contractors for workers employed on or on behalf of Oldham Council, such as bin collections staff.

 

A vote was taken on the 2^nd AMENDMENT which was LOST.

 

On being put to the vote the MOTION was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED:

This Council resolves to: 

 

1.    To lobby for support for the Employment Rights Bill. 

2.    To request that the Chief Executive write to the Borough’s three MPs, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, reaffirming our support for the New Deal for Workers. 

3.    To promote awareness of the New Deal for Workers in Oldham through our communication channels. 

4.    To encourage local businesses to adopt the principles of the New Deal for Workers voluntarily, ahead of any legislative changes.